What is a change of ownership notice to tenants?
When a rented property changes hands, tenants hear rumours before they hear facts. They want to know whether their lease survives, who fixes the boiler now, where next month's rent goes and what happened to their deposit. A clear written notice answers all four at once and gives the new owner a record that every household was told.
This template names the former and new owner and the date the sale took effect, confirms the tenancy continues on the same terms, and gives an address for legal notices, an everyday contact and an emergency repairs number. It sets the date rent switches to the new owner with payment instructions and a scam warning, handles rent paid in advance, and states where the deposit is held. Each tenant signs to confirm receipt only.
- Best for
- A new owner or manager taking over an occupied rental
- Signed by
- New owner or manager; each tenant acknowledges receipt
- Covers
- New contacts, rent payment switch, deposit, lease continuity
- Length
- 1-2 pages
When to use a change of ownership notice to tenants
- Taking over a small apartment building after closing
- Buying a single rented house with the tenant in place
- A new management company replacing the previous one
- Moving tenants from cheques to an online rent portal at the handover
- Recording that every unit was told about the deposit transfer
What you fill in
16 blanks, then the name and email of each person who signs: new owner or manager, tenant.
1 The tenancy
- Date of this notice*
- Tenant name(s)*
- Rented property (including unit number)*
2 The sale
- Former owner or landlord*
- Date ownership changed (or will change)*
3 New landlord
- New owner*
- New owner's address for notices*
- Property manager (optional)
- Day-to-day contact*
- Emergency repairs contact*
4 Rent
- Pay the new owner from*
- How to pay rent from now on*
5 Deposit
- Currency*
- Deposit held for this tenancy (optional)
- Where the deposit is now* The deposit has been transferred to the New Owner, who is now responsible for returning it at the end of the tenancy as the lease and the law require. · The deposit is held in a deposit protection scheme or trust account. Its registration is being transferred to the New Owner, who is now responsible for it. · The deposit has not yet been transferred. The New Owner is arranging this with the former owner and will confirm in writing once it has been received. · No deposit was held for this tenancy.
6 Other
- Other practical changes (optional)
7 Who signs
- New owner or manager signature and date, job title · The new owner of the property, or the manager acting for them.
- Tenant signature and date · A tenant of the property. Send a separate copy to each household.
What the change of ownership notice to tenants covers
- The property has a new owner
- Your lease carries on
- How to reach your new landlord
- Paying rent
- Your deposit
- Tenant's acknowledgement
Using the change of ownership notice to tenants, step by step
1 Identify the tenancy
Enter the tenant and the unit, the former owner and the date ownership changed.
2 Introduce the new landlord
Add the new owner, an address for notices, any manager, and everyday and emergency contacts.
3 Switch the rent
Choose the date rent goes to the new owner and describe exactly how to pay.
4 Confirm the deposit and send
Enter the deposit amount if known, pick where it is held, then sign and send one copy per household.
Tips before you send it
- Get the rent roll, leases and deposit records from the seller before sending, so the details match what tenants hold.
- Check local law for a deadline or required content for a sale notice, especially about deposits.
- Ask the former owner to send their own short letter confirming the sale, so tenants trust the new payment details.
- Keep each signed acknowledgement with that unit's lease in your vault.
Sign it online in minutes
- Fill in the blanks. Names, dates and amounts go straight into the agreement — the preview shows exactly where.
- Name who signs. Tick “This is me” for your own part. FileIt builds the PDF with every signature, date box on the right line, and you can check or move anything before sending.
- Send it. Each signer gets a secure link and signs from any device — no account needed. The signed PDF, with an audit trail and a Certificate of Completion, is filed in your vault and emailed to everyone.
Change of ownership notice to tenants: frequently asked questions
Does the tenant have to sign a new lease?
No. The notice says the tenancy continues on the same terms and that the sale doesn't require a new lease. Any change would be handled separately.
What if the deposit hasn't come over from the seller yet?
Choose the option saying it hasn't been transferred yet. The new owner commits to arranging it and confirming in writing once received.
What if a tenant already paid next month's rent to the old owner?
The notice tells them to say so, and the new owner settles it with the former owner instead of asking for a second payment.
Is an emailed and e-signed notice good enough?
E-signatures are fine for a tenant's acknowledgement in most places. Some places specify how landlord notices must be delivered, so check local rules; FileIt's audit trail records when each tenant opened and signed it.